Week 8 Matchup Between Tua Tagovailoa, Michael Penix Jr. Has Chance to Make NFL History

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Joshua Rosenblum | Last updated May 15, 2025 7:10 PM ET

The NFL is on the cusp of a rare historical moment as the Miami Dolphins face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8, scheduled for a 1:00 PM ET kickoff.

This game could mark the first time since 2006 that two left-handed quarterbacks start against each other, with the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa and the Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. potentially taking the field.

NFL on CBS highlighted this intriguing possibility in a recent post on X, sparking excitement among fans and analysts alike.

The last time this phenomenon occurred was on December 10, 2006, when Michael Vick of the Falcons and Chris Simms of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers squared off, with Atlanta securing a 17-6 victory.

Left-handed quarterbacks are a rarity in the NFL, with only 11 entering the league since Vick’s debut in 2001, including Tagovailoa and Penix. The scarcity of such matchups underscores the significance of this potential milestone.

Tagovailoa, a seasoned starter for the Dolphins, has already made waves as a lefty, boasting a 38-24 record as a starter in his first 62 career starts.

Penix, going into his sophomore season with the Falcons, showed flashes of brilliance last year, establishing chemistry with premier threats like Darnell Mooney and Drake London.

Their shared southpaw trait adds a unique layer to this matchup, promising a visual spectacle for fans accustomed to right-handed throws.

As the Dolphins and Falcons prepare to clash, all eyes will be on these two quarterbacks. Will they etch their names into NFL history as the first left-handed duo to start against each other in nearly two decades?

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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